Hagworthingham 16-02-2025

This would be another cold winter’s ride for the group although skies were forecast to brighten in the afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. We hoped for the best.

 

Meeting up at Louth’s Meridian Leisure Centre were Tim Newbery, Ty Harness and John Weeks who’d pedalled in from Wood Enderby. Steve Croton had arranged to meet up in Little Cawthorpe. Apologies had been sent by John Rickett, Paul Linder, Alan Hockham and Sven Livesey.

 

A headwind to Little Cawthorpe but for once not too strong and we met up with Steve as he admired the view from the ford along Watery Lane. Onwards along the wooded lane passing by Haugham Pasture. A managed woodland but attractive none the less.

 

This would be a hilly ride with climbs up to Woody’s Top before a steep descent to The Carrs at Ruckland. John recounted his hill climbing exploits in years gone by when he accomplished the ascent in two minutes. Quite an achievement.

 

More ascending now to the Bluestone Heath Road and the mornings highest altitude of 490 ft at Tetford Hill. Steve waited patiently for a re-grouping of the clans.

 

Roads were at this stage sticky with mud having been brought off the fields and discussions ensued of the merits of a range of suitable tyres.

We stopped briefly at Saint Margaret’s Church in Somerby, of historic interest as Poet Lauriat Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s father was once rector here. Alfred was born in the white cottage across the road and baptised in the church. It was all we could do to prevent Ty from reciting ‘The Lady of Chalotte’, all four parts.

 

Just along from the church, a bridge crosses over the River Lymn which is said to have inspired one of his best known poems, The Brook.

 

“I come from haunts of coot and hern,

I make a sudden sally

And sparkle out among the fern,

To bicker down a valley”…

 

Having crossed the River Lymn once more at Stockwith Mill, a short climb now to Thornbury Hill and Hagworthingham. Tim was certainly glad of a chance for refreshment at Rachel’s Café which we haven’t been to for a few years. Prompt and efficient service with a wide range of fayre on offer.

John would depart for home from here whilst Steve would join Tim and Ty to South Ormsby and a final cup of coffee at the Sheep Dip Paddock. Thanks go to Jaqi Rhodes who looks after the supplies.

 

Cloud as forecast was by now breaking up and turning increasingly sunny. No rise in temperature (resolutely stuck at 4 Degrees Celsius) but it did lift spirits and we sat at the benches admiring the scenery.

 

With Steve heading home, Tim and Ty would continue through Swaby and Muckton, returning to Louth a little after 2 pm having covered 31 miles.

Thanks to all for the company.

 

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: